On November 15, according to information from the Thanh Hoa Forest Protection Department, Hanoi Zoo approved the reception of 9 illegally captive tigers in Xuan Tin commune, Thanh Hoa province.
After being approved for acceptance, the Thanh Hoa Forest Protection Department is reporting to the Provincial People's Committee to send a document to the Hanoi People's Committee, requesting that Hanoi Zoo develop a plan to take over the tiger herd.
According to the Forest Protection Department, after reviewing biodiversity conservation facilities managed by the State, Hanoi Zoo meets the receiving conditions. Currently, the parties are coordinating to develop a plan to arrest and transport the tigers to ensure safety.
"Regarding the information that a private company in Ho Chi Minh City has requested to receive the tigers, the unit has not yet known, because they may not work directly with the owner of the facility through us. Our viewpoint is to prioritize the transfer of tigers to state-managed conservation facilities. Only when no State unit receives it will we consider the option of handing it over to private facilities," said a representative of the Thanh Hoa Forest Protection Department.
Previously, in mid-September 2025, after receiving a document from the Department of Forestry and Forestry (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) on strengthening the management of tiger captivity facilities, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Thanh Hoa coordinated with relevant agencies to work with the family of Mr. Nguyen Mau Chien - owner of the tiger captivity facility.
Through the work, Mr. Chien agreed to unconditionally transfer, not requiring the full compensation of the adult tigers to units and centers that are eligible to receive according to regulations.
On October 20, the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province directed the Department of Agriculture and Environment to preside over and coordinate with relevant units to review rescue and care facilities and be ready to receive (without fee collection) according to the list provided by the Nature Education Center, in order to implement the transfer of 9 tigers.
It is known that in 2007, Mr. Nguyen Mau Chien (residing in Hanoi) bought 10 tigers (each weighing about 7kg) from a stranger in Laos and raised them in Xuan Tin commune. After being discovered to be illegally held, Mr. Chien was fined 30 million VND but was still assigned to take care of the tigers. In 2008, he continued to buy 5 more tigers and was administratively fined an additional 30 million VND.
By mid-2017, the tiger breeding and growth permit of the farm had expired. After that, the farm owner repeatedly applied for a new license but was not approved due to legal regulations.
Over the years, from the initial 15 individuals, 6 tigers have died, currently the farm has 9 pigs, each weighing from 150 - 200kg. Notably, 2 individuals died in 2023 and 2024, weighing about 200kg/child. The tiger's remains have been sealed and preserved in the freezer under the supervision of the government and forest rangers pending handling.
